8 MAZARIN (1971)

by Mark Anthony

Mazarin was slightly disappointing towards the end of his career but at the peak of his powers, he was undoubtedly a very talented horse and importantly, he raced against top class opposition, which entitles him to the utmost respect.

Trained by the legendary Syd Laird, who holds the all time record of seven July winners, he raced in the famous Tenderini colours, which would later be carried by such distinction by Politician.

Mazarin`s male line was packed with stamina. His father, Preamble II was not a star, but he won 6 races from 1200m - 3200m in Britain. Preamble II`s father Alycidon has gone down in folklore as one of Britain`s greatest stayers. Preamble II became a notable sire in South Africa, siring many useful stakes winners including Sword Dancer, the great filly Majorca and Guineas winner Savonarola.

Winner of both his juvenile starts in 1970, Mazarin also won his first 4 races as a 3-year-old, all of them feature races. Along the way he beat some useful yardsticks. Master Polly ran consistently well in feature company throughout his career. Pedlar won the SA Derby and Dick King Stakes [Daily News 2200] and would later be placed in the July and Summer Cup. King`s Guard was a future winner of the Summer Cup and Clairwood Winter Handicap and would run second in the July and third in the Cape Met.

On the strength of this form, Mazarin was considered the leading 3-year-old of his year and sent off favourite in the 1971 Cape Guineas. However, a high draw of 24 made his task a difficult one, especially over the sharp Milnerton mile and he suffered his first defeat, beaten just over a length.

A disappointing fourth followed in the Queens Plate, although two useful older horses, Chichester and Prairie Prince finished ahead of him. Chichester, on his day, was top class. The previous season, he had won the 1200m Merchants and 2400m Cape Derby within 3 months of each other, in a remarkable display of versatility. He was also a dual Queens Plate winner along win a string of minor features and had finished second in the July.

Mazarin reasserted himself in his next start, the Cape Derby, coming from off the pace to win going away from Kings Guard.

Returning to Durban for the winter season, he ran a cracking trial in the 1200m Newbury Stakes, which in those days was used as a pipe-opener for the top middle-distance performers. Having turned for home at the tail end of the field, he flew up late and just failed by a nose to catch the formidable Uncle Ben, one of SA`s best sprinters of that era.

On this form, he looked invincible back over a mile in the SA Guineas and duly hacked up by nearly 5 lengths, a more than satisfactory trial for the 1971 July.

On the big day itself, Mazarin faced a useful array of older horses. The biggest name in the field was top-weight Home Guard, who had been a sensation two years earlier. Winner of his first 11 races, Home Guard lost his unbeaten record in the 1969 July, failing to concede 5 kg to his top class contemporary, Naval Escort and finishing an agonising second. Home Guard then lost his way but now, at age 5, had regained some of his old sparkle, winning the Summer Cup and Hawaii Stakes [Horse Chestnut 1600].

Coast Guard had finished third in the 1969 July, having previously won the Cape Derby and Greyville 1900. Remarkably, he was laid off for two years, made a superb comeback by finishing second in the 1971 Greyville 1900 and was now taking on Mazarin and company - a tough task in his second run after such a long layoff.

Home Truth had won the 1971 Greyville 1900 (sponsored in those days by Gordons Gin), a perfect trial for the July. With Chichester, whose achievements we have already described, also in the line-up, the field was not short of quality.

Once underway, however, it became one-way traffic for Mazarin. Bert Hayden kept him handy throughout and he challenged for the lead early in the straight. Crossing the subway, he had romped ahead and at the line had just over 3 lengths to spare over Home Truth. Coast Guard ran a tremendous race in third, considering his suspect legs.

The July distance had only just been increased to 2200m in 1970 and Mazarin`s time of 134 seconds stood as the course record for the next 16 years.

Mazarin kicked off his 4-year-old campaign with an imperious four-length win over Home Guard in the Champion Stakes over 2000m. In those days the Champion Stakes was one of the first big races of the new season and marked a chance for the top horse of the just-completed season to confirm his superiority. Mazarin took full advantage, registering a hands-and-heels win by nearly 4 lengths from Home Guard.

Lauded as the best horse in the country, Mazarin`s future exploits were eagerly awaited, but the cracks started to appear. In December he ran a disappointing trial for the Summer Cup, making heavy weather of beating Acheval over 1600m at Germiston. He was forgiven this run on account of being short of fitness and the ground conditions being very heavy, but in the Cup itself, he finished unplaced behind Kings Guard.

Rested for 5 months after this defeat, he reappeared for the winter season and ran two creditable races behind the new star of the turf, In Full Flight, over sprints, in May 1972. At the end of that month he ran a great July trial, carrying top weight to victory in the Greyville 1900. The July itself was a disappointment. He was sent off favourite but could only manage ninth behind In Full Flight, who had taken over the mantle of SA`s best.

At age 5, Mazarin was still capable of mixing it with the best and on 5 August 1972, played his part in one of the great moments of SA racing history.

The race was the Champion Stakes and although In Full Flight was now the undoubted king of the turf, Mazarin was still held in high regard and sent off joint-favourite. The two raced handily together and set sail for home upon entering the straight. A sensational battle developed, In Full Flight unable to shake off his older rival. This was the Mazarin of old, capable of taking on the very best without fear. Meanwhile, another twist was about to develop. The grand old man of SA racing, William Penn, joined issue with two stars young enough to be his sons. Aged 11, William Penn had no business disputing the finish of a Gr 1 event, but this amazing old warrior did not have time for such niceties. None of the horses gave an inch and amidst a thunderous roar, the three crossed the line almost as one. The photo showed In Full Flight had just edged out William Penn with Mazarin a short-head behind in third.

Even in defeat, this must go down as one of the highlights of Mazarin`s career and it was an unforgettable experience for those who were privileged to witness this great race.

Another good run in defeat was to follow in the Summer Cup, now sponsored by Holiday Inns. Mazarin was still considered one of the best around and sent off favourite. He finished third, beaten just a length by the outstanding Elevation - a horse who would make his mark on history by winning this race three times.

The end was near. Fourth in his trial for the Cape Met, again behind In Full Flight, he was unplaced in the Met itself and retired.

Syd Laird rated Mazarin highly and felt that, at age 3, he was not too far off Colorado King and Sea Cottage. This was high praise indeed and Mazarin`s exploits against opposition of the highest class have earned him his place amongst the best ever July winners.